Delhi HC Issues Guidelines To Animal Welfare Board For Feeding Street Dogs In Residential Colony

OVERVIEW

The Delhi High Court has issued directions to Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to sort out the dispute arising between animal lovers and residents in the residential colonies of Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

The petition was filed by three animal lovers who cater to the needs of the street dogs in E-2 block of Vasant Kunj against the Residents Welfare Association for ‘creating hinderances’ in feeding and taking care of the dogs.

Advocate Abhik Chimini, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, stated that the animal carers are faced with ‘enormous resistance’ by the residents whenever they try to feed the street dogs. Several complaints and concerns have also been exchanged between the two parties.

The Residents Welfare Association, represented by Advocate S.K. Pandey, submitted that as per the ruling given by the Delhi High Court in 2009 (Citizens for Welfare and Protection of Animals & Anr. V. State & Anr.), the street dogs are to be fed by the petitioners in the area specified by the residents.

BACKGROUND

The Court, in 2009, had issued guidelines to the AWBI to identify spots and sites most suitable to feed dogs and other canines, with the consultation of Resident Welfare Associations, Area SHO, and the Animal Welfare Organisation working in the area.

The motive to feed dogs was to keep them confined to a particular space, to get them sterilised, vaccinated and re-vaccinated, as the vaccination lasts only for a year.

The Animal Welfare Board was also directed to note down suitable sites in the colonies within four weeks, covering as many colonies as possible in the given time period.

The Delhi Police was instructed to ensure that volunteers of Animal Welfare Organisations undergo no harm, as long as they fed the strays only during the stipulated hours assigned by the Animal Welfare Board.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The single-judge bench of Justice Pratibha Singh observed that as per the 2009 order, the Court had provided directions to the AWBI, with due consultation of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), to specify spots in the colonies, suitable to the feeding of dogs and canines, noting the concerns regarding the safety of children and others.

'It, however, appears that there has been no consensus in identifying the suitable spot. The RWA appears to have been having apprehensions in view of the fact that children and senior residents also roam around in the open area of the block, for their own recreation.'

The AWBI and RWA were thus directed to communicate with the residents and petitioners to identify a spot, not accessed by children, senior citizens or others, for feeding and taking care of the dogs, and no hinderance be caused while they are executing the activities at the decided spot.

'Accordingly, in order to maintain peace and harmony in the locality…AWBI shall send two representatives on March 8 to hold a meeting with the RWA and the petitioners.

The SHO of the concerned area shall also be present at the meeting between RWA, petitioners and the representatives of AWBI.

'The residents and members of the RWA as also the petitioners have to act in harmony with each other and not in a manner which shall lead to unpleasant circumstances in the colony.' 

CONCLUSION

The Court, issuing the aforementioned directions and assigning the date of meeting between the petitioners and RWA, disposed of the plea.

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